LOUDON, N.H. – After knocking on the door of victory lane four times this season, Ty Gibbs finally broke through and drove his way to his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win.
In his first visit to New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, Gibbs took the checkered flag first during the Apple Barrel 125, part of the second annual Full Throttle Fall Weekend.
“It was just like going on a Sunday drive the car was so good,” said Gibbs, who started the race from the third position. “We led a lot of laps, and we got a little tight halfway through the race, but the guys fixed it up, and we went back out there and won.”
Gibbs led 112 of 125 laps, with July Loudon winner Chase Cabre, Sam Mayer and Tanner Gray close behind. Gibbs lost his cushion after a late-race caution, but pulled away after bumping Gray, securing the first-place position for the remainder of the race.
Gray, Josh Berry, Spencer Davis and Mayer rounded out the top five at the conclusion after a four-car battle for second place.
Cabre, who was out front for the 13 laps Gibbs didn’t pace, led the second five, ahead of Ruben Garcia Jr., Nick Sanchez, Justin Carroll and Robert Pawlowski.
Racing is in Gibbs’ blood, so it’s no surprise the grandson of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series team owner Joe Gibbs landed in victory lane during his rookie season after only 11 starts.
With his 17th birthday only two weeks away, Saturday’s victory lane celebration served as an early birthday present for the Charlotte, N.C. native.
The finish:
Ty Gibbs, Tanner Gray, Josh Berry, Spencer Davis, Sam Mayer, Chase Cabre, Ruben Garcia Jr., Nick Sanchez, Justin Carroll, Robert Pawlowski, Armani Williams, Josh Fanopoulos, Max McLaughlin, Bill Hoff.